We had the good fortune of connecting with Nataly Cano-Lopez and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Nataly, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Faith. Choose faith over fear every time. Even when you’re not seeing results. The only difference between a winner and a loser, is a winner never quits. If you keep believing in yourself, you won’t quit before you’ve reached your goals.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with or for small businesses my entire career. There is a common theme I’ve noticed in those business owners who accelerate with ease over their counterparts: Faith. You have to believe in yourself even when others don’t.
It sounds simple and it is, but not so easy all the time. Some of the most challenging tests come in the form of well-intentioned friends or relatives. You have to see past other people’s limiting beliefs and not adopt them as your own, no matter how seemingly innocent.
Make faith based decisions in all aspects on your life. Fear based decisions will get you nowhere fast. You know your greatness. Now find others who share your same vision and strengthen your stride with them. With a little faith you can achieve anything.
What should our readers know about your business?
If It Speaks To You, is a crystals (and things) retail brand. A Santa Monica based, woman-owned, COVID start up. We sling rocks. If it speaks to you, great! If it’s not your thing, no problem.
I am most proud of just being here. Having the strength and dedication to follow that inkling and desire. Before I started If It Speaks To You, I had hit rock bottom (no pun intended). Overwhelmed with my own melodrama- now enter March 2020. Rock bottom gave way to yet an even rockier bottom. I was in desperate need of inspiration and I knew I was not alone.
I felt a deep conviction to inwardly heal so that I can outwardly shine and that is how we make a change on a micro level. If we all do our part that change becomes a ripple effect. So I followed my convictions to contribute to a hurting society and dug deep in search of that little spark.
I wouldn’t be here today without every single work opportunity that taught me that the word “No,” is just an obstacle to climb over and the only time it stops you is when you let it. I am beyond grateful for my incredible successes, relationships and mentorships at ADP. When you work with hundreds of small businesses you learn a great deal about starting your own and what traits make them successful.
Finally taking those first steps towards insanity- quitting my six figure corporate job to help open The Backyard at Chez Jay. We set out to create a vibe and nailed it. That experience being my greatest lesson of them all- you won’t arrive if you never start the journey.
I remind myself every day to operate from a place of abundance rather than scarcity, even (especially) when things feel outwardly scarce.
We’ve already had a few run-ins with brands, we looked up to, try to harm us. It’s sad when you see other successful women-owned businesses cut you down. Of course it’s nothing personal, it’s just a reflection of how we get when we are operating from a place of scarcity. But where there is dark there is also light.
I must say I have had double the amount of incredible business owners be the wind beneath our wings, which is an absolute beautiful thing. Abundantly sharing, guiding and helping even when we could have been perceived as direct competition.
I am not here to compete with others. I think everyone has unique gifts we are blessed to share with the world. I am committed to move forward in a way that offers support and a lifeline for others. After all, that’s what I initially set out to do.
Being around crystals is incredibly healing. They are an anchor for our peace and joy. Watching someone’s face light up while they search for what speaks to them is incredibly fulfilling. So that’s what led me here today, having started If It Speaks To You, with Co-Founder Cara Cockrum- that thing that brought me that little spark. And if it brings someone else a little joy too I have succeeded.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Primo Passo Coffee for my iced hazelnut oat latte addiction. Massilia, Barrique, Scopa and can’t forget Wallflower for my favorite Westside go-tos!
Jeep top off while we cruise up PCH, then through the canyons on the way to Old Place Cornell for brunch- hands down my #1 favorite spot in LA county. Live music at Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas. We’ll wine it up at The Stonehaus in Westlake.
Stop for a cold one at Deer Lodge Ojai before heading up 33. Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach Santa Barbara for a chill beach day vibe.
And they can’t leave town without a good old line dancing night at either The Ranch Saloon, Cowboy Palace or The Canyon Club.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow just about every life experience I’ve had has led me here and I am so grateful for each and every one of them. I have to dedicate my Shoutout to God, Mom & Grandma for never giving up on me, ingraining in me an incredible work ethic, teaching me to fight for all my dreams and to never be ashamed of my weirdness.
Website: www.speakstoyou.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/speaks.to.you
Image Credits
All images of ME- Photographer: Cara Cockrum All images of CRYSTALS- Photographer: Nataly Cano-Lopez